Fiat's India strategy revealed

This is a discussion on Fiat's India strategy revealed within The Indian Car Scene, part of the BHP India category; The demand for Cherokee seems to be increasing.
http://www.freep.com/article/2013021...nstead-Detroit...

Small correction on the Tjet torque figures, its 207 NM torque and the 1.3 MJD VGT produces 209 NM Torque.

The power in the Tjet might be bumped up to 120PS. But still wondering with the new generation slated to have 1.4 Tjet. How good is it plonk this one in the current one. Unless they get Multiair 165 PS version of the Tjet in the new generation Linea, this one does not seem to be a good idea.

What you might also find different is where in the rev range do you get those torque and hp numbers. Typically turbo petrols have a larger area under the torque curve and a peak hp number higher up in the rev range, so there is more fun to be had in revving the petrol turbo. The diesel turbo will have peak torque early in the revs as well, but the peak power also would be at like 3500 or 4000 rpm. So there is no joy of revving.

I was driving back from Nagar yesterday and saw this white Punto (red temp plates) parked on the road, with white paper / cladding around the bumpers - both front and back & around the wing mirrors as well (prob. turn indicators on them ?!).

I was too fast to stop and was short on time as well, but this could have been the Punto refresh / Evo on test. People travelling on Nagar road - look out if you can spot something.

Maybe a sign that they are gearing upto launch the T-Jet , was looking around for information on the 2013 tjet and decided to search basis fiat india , and this came up in the search results on Google - the page does not exist anymore , could have been put up for a few days and then taken off but do note the description

In India they have deliberately remapped the ECU for a power downgrade, thus upping the power is not a "major" re-engineering exercise. It all depends whether FIAT wants to foot the "re-homologation" bills or not as with an increase in power you have run the car past the ARAI once again.

If FIAT bumps the power up, and manages to price the LINEA under 11lakhs,it will be the best driver's sedan in the 10-11lakh bracket , the nearest competitor being the 1.4 Jetta and the Laura TSi's, both well past the 1.5million rupee mark

Sorry..IMO total wrong strategy by Fiat...
Reading about the models here...the Jeep, Abarth et al...Fiat seems to be determined to remain a rounding off error w.r.t marketshare
Their Service Centers..either standalone or in partnership with Fiat...werent able to handle even 3 digit sales volumes...So as a Fiat owner, I have zilch confidence in whether they'll be able to handle the imported Jeeps, Abarths etc..
Forget premium service, it's a total desi unprofessional experience as far as their service is concerned.

Thanks a ton! But as a responsible Team-BHPian you should have chased the car whole day and click millions of pictures from all possible angles inside out.

Hope more pics and info will follow soon from other pals from same location.

I believe the production model will be a five door hatch, but I don't bother (even wish) for three door version. Light weight and rear seat may always be an acting dickey for bags and other shopping stuff.